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LAUGHING ALL THE WAY

NEWPORT, VT - Despite inclement weather, an appreciative group turned out at the American Legion Friday night to give Tod Pronto and Deveney Choquette, former morning show hosts on the MOO92 radio station, a last hurrah. Subway provided sandwiches and cookies, while Steve McManus and his daughter DJ’ed the event. The Vermont Broadcasting Association took over station ownership on Dec. 31 and the last day for the duo was Dec. 28. Sarah Lee Kimball, an avid listener, said, “They’re a riot! They get your morning going, like a cup of coffee. It’s not the same now. I hate to see them go.” She mentioned having to pull over to the side of the road on one occasion because of Deveney’s contagious laughter, which she said would be missed. After six years together, five of which were doing the 6-10 a.m. show, Deveney said the new owners “wanted to move in a new direction – less talk, more music.” Tod added, “We were more energetic, humorous, liked to banter. We improvised; never prepared.” Deveney summed it up by saying they were “just two people having fun on the air.”That improvisation paid off in terms of garnering local support for many charities including Hungerfest, the Penguin Plunge, Relay for Life, Cram a Van (school supplies for kids), and gifts for kids at Christmas. An on-air discussion about singing at nursing homes prompted so many call-ins that they decided to do it!Steve seated the pair on chairs in the center of the room and got the group to their feet, surrounding them, with the chicken dance and hokey-pokey. His daughter wowed people with her yodeling ability.What’s next for them? Deveney said she’s accepted a job as a morning show host at WGXL, 92.3 FM, in Lebanon, N.H., after being told that their current positions were being eliminated. Tod will continue his work as executive director of NEK-TV and is working on his third acoustic rock and blues CD. Fans can find him at TodPronto.com. They wish to thank everyone for making them a staple in the community and issued parting advice: “Have fun!”